Newbie Question - Fasteners

[rwantin]

Good morning.

I hope this doesn't seem too dumb a question, but I suspect it is easily answered by builder-types. I have owned way too many cars and have always done my own work. I'm not sure I've ever been this much in vehicular love.

I finally have my first whole day to fool around with the MK II I picked up last Saturday. I was given a bunch of spare parts, which is always nice. Two things I would like to install that he didn't for one reason or another are the sliding trunk support and the door retention straps. I managed to find a pic of the former (have done some searching around) so I see how it is oriented. Since attaching something to fiberglass is new territory for me, what kind of bolts/screws do you use for something like this? And if anyone has a pic of their door straps (I was given the brown leather ones) I'd be grateful.

Thanks (in advance)!

-Robert

[edwardb]

Here's a pic of the door strap attachment on my Mk3. I think Mk2's use the same hinge setup. There are holes on the hinges for the strap attachment. Then you will need to drill and attach to the chassis tube at the right location to stop the doors where you want them. As I recall the instructions say to use pop rivets to install. I used SS bolts, so I can service/remove them without drilling out the rivets. Probably 10-32 since that's what I used most everywhere. Kind of surprised someone would leave these off. High risk with the door swinging wide and rubbing the paint on the front edge of the doors.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/th_IMG_0316_zps01abdd2b.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/IMG_0316_zps01abdd2b.jpg.html)

For the trunk, does the Mk2 have an inner liner on the trunk lid? If so, pretty easy to pick a spot and attach it. It could be pop riveted in place. Or probably better would be nutserts. They work pretty well in the fiberglass. Also could rough up the paint a little directly under the bracket and add some adhesive. If there's nothing to attach to, or you want to do something real simple, there are prop rods out there that just attach in the trunk, and then you swing them up to prop the lid. No attachment to the lid required. Another popular option is using gas struts. There's a kit of that too (of course).

[rwantin]

That is hugely helpful....thanks!

I think the lid has an inner liner, I'll check it. I have all sorts of rivets but I think I'll see if I can get some nutserts. Good call on the stainless bolts for the straps. Yeah, not liking that feeling of the door getting away from me.

By the way, really digging that doorpanel/pocket - would be nice to have a place to put something (wallet and cell, for instance).

Thanks again.

-Robert

[edwardb]

TBy the way, really digging that doorpanel/pocket - would be nice to have a place to put something (wallet and cell, for instance).

Welcome to the madness ;)

http://www.herbfraser.com/

[rwantin]

Welcome to the madness ;)

http://www.herbfraser.com/

Sold! Thanks again. :cool:

[CraigS]

Welcome to the forum! Notice that if you put a few washers under the piece that the strap attaches to on the door side of the hinge that you can tighten up, or essentially shorten the strap. Sometimes a little adjustment is needed to keep the door from opening too far and hitting the fender.

[rwantin]

Welcome to the forum! Notice that if you put a few washers under the piece that the strap attaches to on the door side of the hinge that you can tighten up, or essentially shorten the strap. Sometimes a little adjustment is needed to keep the door from opening too far and hitting the fender.

Perfect, and thank you sir.

[Eastcoastcobras]

Welcome to the madness ;)

http://www.herbfraser.com/

Wow those look amazing. Going to get a set myself!